Should I Visit Bern or Krakow for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Bern or Krakow?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Bern or Krakow? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Bern or Krakow?

Bern

The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is a surprisingly small city with a population of only about 130,000. It's located on a peninsula that is created by the turns of the River Aare. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has a wonderfully preserved old town area. There are about four miles worth of quaint walkways that are lined with clock towers and fountains.

Krakow

Krakow is Poland's second largest city. It sits on both sides of the Wisla River at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. There are more than 1.4 million residents in the metropolitan area. Krakow is known as a historical and beautiful city that is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Tourism makes up a large part of the city's economy, but there is also a university and several local colleges which are major employers as well. Technology has grown in recent years and the city has some notable employees including Google, IBM and Motorola. Other important industries include steel, pharmaceuticals and tobacco.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, The Best Budget Tours to Poland, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow.

Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Bern?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

Bern Prices
Switzerland Prices

Krakow Prices
Poland Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Bern $294

Krakow $73

The average daily cost (per person) in Bern is $294, while the average daily cost in Krakow is $73. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Bern and Krakow in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Bern $162

Krakow $41
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Bern $324

Krakow $82

Compare Hotels in Bern and Krakow

Looking for a hotel in Bern or Krakow? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.

Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Bern Hotel Prices and Krakow Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Bern $33

Krakow $6.34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:

CO2-Offset | Sedan Arrival Transfer from Bern Airport BRN to Bern: $79
Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $182
Private Transfer From Bern to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $217
Private Transfer Service from Bern to Bern Airport: $120
Transfer from Bern Airport to Lucerne, Basel or Interlaken by Van: $295

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:

Train Transfer Ticket from/to Auschwitz: $4.75
Krakow Airport: Train Transfer Ticket from/to Krakow Central: $5.37
Kraków: Kraków Airport to Central Bus Station Bus Transfer: $6.17
Private Transfer to/from Krakow Airport (KRK): $7.14
From Auschwitz Birkenau Tour with Transfer: $9.60
From Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour with Transfer: $9.60
Krakow Balice Airport -Wieliczka Salt mine private transfer: $10
Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum One-Way Bus Transfer: $10
Krakow Airport Transfer Balice: $13
Wieliczka Salt Mine One Way Transfer or Guided Tour option: $14
Private Transfer to/from Katowice Airport (KTW): $15
Electric Car Transfer between Krakow and the Airport: $15

Is it cheaper to fly into Bern or Krakow?

Prices for flights to both Krakow and Bern change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.

Food

Food Meals for one day

Bern $104

Krakow $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krakow

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Krakow.

Small-Group Online Cooking Class Polish Pierogi : $26
From Polish Folk Show with All-You-Can-Eat Dinner: $39
Folk Show & 3-Course Dinner at Jama Michalika Café: $42
Polish Folk Show with 3 course dinner in Krakow legendary restaurant: $43
Food tour - Taste of Krakow: $44
Romantic Dinner with a Cruise on the Vistula River: $53
Polish Folk Dinner with Vistula River Cruise: $59
Full Traditional Polish Dinner & Folk Show: $62
Traditional Polish Food Tour in Krakow Old Town: $73
Krakow food tour: $81
Secret Food Tours Krakow w/ Private Tour Option: $100
Krakow Authentic Food Tour Poland: $103

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Bern $34

Krakow $20

Tours and Activities in Bern

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:

Self-Guided Reading City Tour in Bern: $5.50
Self-Guided Reading City Tour in Bern: $5.59
Bern Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.28
Self-Guided Audio City Tour in Bern: $11
Self-Guided Audio City Tour in Bern: $11
Self-Guided Tour of Bern's Fountains, Clocktowers, and Legends: $12
Fribourg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
Bern Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
Thun Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
Zytglogge - Tour through the Clock Tower: $22
The best Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $33
Guided Walking Tour in Bern: $36

Tours and Activities in Krakow

Here are a few actual costs in Krakow for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

Kraków in a nutshell - walking tour: $1.23
Krakow's Essential Tour of the Old Town and Wawel Castle: $3.15
Kościuszko Mound Entry Ticket: $3.77
Old Town Audioguided walking Tour: $4.06
Historic Krakow : Old Town & Wawel Castle Walking tour: $5.00
Skip the Line Ticket for Kościuszko Mound in Krakow & Krakow Card: $5.16
Old Town Audio-Guided Walking Tour with Headset: $5.17
Self Guided Walking Tour of Krakow City: $5.25
Jewish Museum Galicja Entrance Ticket or Cracow Museum Card: $5.42
Wawel Hill Tour with Audio Guide: $5.54
Home Army Museum Emil Fieldorf “Nil” - Entrance Ticket: $5.79
Krakow Old Town Guided Walking Tour: $6.32

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Bern $27

Krakow $6.69

Typical Alcohol Prices in Krakow

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Krakow:

Vodka

$13

Sample the Local Flavors in Krakow

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Krakow:

Pub Crawl - 1-hour Open Bar then Vip to 5 Clubs - Krakow: $21
Pub Crawl with 1 Hour of Unlimited Alcoholic Drinks: $24
Halloween Pub Crawl - Krawl Through Krakow: $25
Pub Crawl with Shots, Drinks & Skip-the-Line Entry: $27
Pub Crawl Unlimited Drinks then 5 Best Clubs in Krakow with VIP: $28
Pub Crawl 1hr Unlimited Beer + Vodka then Clubs in Katowice: $28
Krakow Evening Pub Crawl: $42
New Year's Eve Pub Crawl With 2 Hour Unlimited Alcohol + VIP Entry To Best Clubs: $62
Krakow Wine Tasting Private Tour with Wine Expert: $175

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bern and Krakow, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Krakow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Krakow would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Krakow and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bern than you might in Krakow.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bern Expensive? and Is Krakow Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bern or Krakow?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Krakow, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Bern or Krakow?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bern or Krakow in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Krakow. The summer months attract visitors to Bern because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bern is generally around the same temperature as Krakow. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 21°C (70°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krakow this time of the year. In Bern, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bern usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives less rain than Krakow. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Summer Average Temperatures July

Bern 21°C (70°F)

Krakow 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Bern or Krakow in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bern as well as Krakow. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bern this time of year.

Bern is a little warmer than Krakow in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Krakow fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Bern often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in October than Krakow. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Autumn Average Temperatures October

Bern 13°C (55°F)

Krakow 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Bern or Krakow in the Winter?

Both Krakow and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Krakow can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. In the winter, Bern is much warmer than Krakow. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bern in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Krakow averages at about -2°C (29°F).

Bern usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bern usually receives more rain than Krakow. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Winter Average Temperatures January

Bern 3°C (37°F)

Krakow -2°C (29°F)

Should I visit Bern or Krakow in the Spring?

Both Krakow and Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bern in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Bern is generally a little warmer than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 11°C (52°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Bern often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets more rain in April than Krakow. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Spring Average Temperatures April

Bern 11°C (52°F)

Krakow 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Krakow and Bern

	Bern		Krakow
	Temp (°C)	Rain (mm)	Temp (°C)	Rain (mm)
Jan	3°C (37°F)	54 mm (2.1 in)	-2°C (29°F)	34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb	4°C (40°F)	51 mm (2 in)	0°C (32°F)	32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar	8°C (46°F)	50 mm (2 in)	5°C (40°F)	34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr	11°C (52°F)	59 mm (2.3 in)	10°C (50°F)	49 mm (1.9 in)
May	15°C (60°F)	76 mm (3 in)	15°C (59°F)	83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun	19°C (65°F)	74 mm (2.9 in)	18°C (64°F)	96 mm (3.8 in)
Jul	21°C (70°F)	63 mm (2.5 in)	19°C (67°F)	86 mm (3.4 in)
Aug	20°C (69°F)	80 mm (3.1 in)	19°C (66°F)	85 mm (3.3 in)
Sep	18°C (64°F)	55 mm (2.2 in)	15°C (60°F)	52 mm (2 in)
Oct	13°C (55°F)	49 mm (1.9 in)	11°C (51°F)	45 mm (1.8 in)
Nov	7°C (45°F)	58 mm (2.3 in)	5°C (41°F)	45 mm (1.8 in)
Dec	4°C (38°F)	55 mm (2.2 in)	1°C (33°F)	40 mm (1.6 in)

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bern vs. Krakow for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bern or Krakow?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Where Should I go: Bern or Krakow?

Bern

Krakow

Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Bern?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Bern and Krakow

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow

Is it cheaper to fly into Bern or Krakow?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krakow

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Bern

Tours and Activities in Krakow

Alcohol

Typical Alcohol Prices in Krakow

Sample the Local Flavors in Krakow

Which is Bigger, Bern or Krakow?

When is the best time to visit Bern or Krakow?

Should I visit Bern or Krakow in the Summer?

Should I visit Bern or Krakow in the Autumn?

Should I visit Bern or Krakow in the Winter?

Should I visit Bern or Krakow in the Spring?

Typical Weather for Krakow and Bern

Related Articles for Bern

Related Articles for Krakow

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bern vs. Krakow for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bern or Krakow?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Where Should I go: Bern or Krakow?

Bern

Krakow

Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Bern?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Bern and Krakow

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow

Is it cheaper to fly into Bern or Krakow?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krakow

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Bern

Tours and Activities in Krakow

Alcohol

Typical Alcohol Prices in Krakow

Sample the Local Flavors in Krakow

Which is Bigger, Bern or Krakow?

When is the best time to visit Bern or Krakow?

Should I visit Bern or Krakow in the Summer?

Should I visit Bern or Krakow in the Autumn?

Should I visit Bern or Krakow in the Winter?

Should I visit Bern or Krakow in the Spring?

Typical Weather for Krakow and Bern

Related Articles for Bern

Related Articles for Krakow

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